The quake hit at 13:02 hours (18:02 GMT) and had an intensity of II on the Modified Mercalli scale in Arequipa.
The tremor's epicenter was located at sea, 20 kilometers (14.4 miles) southeast of Mollendo, capital of Islay province.
The quake's depth was 67 kilometers (41.6 miles).
No damage or injury has been reported so far from the quake, local authorities have reported.
Peru is in the "Pacific Ring of Fire," which is the site of 85 percent of global seismic activity.